Chapter One
“Hey…HEY! Hold up a minute, will you?”
stopped and turned around. Barbara was lagging well behind her, trying to catch up.
“Fine example of a fitness-center manager you are!” grinned. “What’s the matter? You that out of shape?”
“Ha.” Barbara puffed as she drew nearer. “And ‘ha’ again. How much does this freakin’ pack weigh? Fifty, sixty pounds? I’m just not used to carrying so much weight is all.”
“Oh.” ’s grin faded. “Well, it’s not THAT heavy. More like thirty pounds, but I think you’re carrying it a bit wrong. Here, let me see.”
Barbara stood patiently as checked her pack, adjusted a few things. They were small details, but was used to backpacking. Barbara was not and wouldn’t have known what to do.
“There,” she said at last. “How’s that?”
Barbara shifted her shoulders a bit, took a few steps. “Hey, that’s much better! Thanks!”
“Now will you keep up?”
“If you go a little slower.” Barbara nodded. “Or are you going to try to jog all the way there?”
“All right, all right. I’ll slow down for you.”
“Deal. Now, can we take a break?”
“Sure,” agreed. She could use a little rest herself. “We can sit on that log over there. It’s in the shade.”
“Ahhhhhhhhh…” Barbara exhaled gratefully as she sat on the old fallen tree. “Seriously, Kim, are you in some kind of hurry? Are you hoping to come across that guy again, that ‘Alpha’ you keep telling me about? Hm?” She nudged in her ribs playfully.
“I don’t know…” paused to take a long swig from her canteen. The water was not as cool as it had been an hour earlier. “I’ve been thinking about that, and I really don’t know. Part of me does. He was big…all over…and strong, and just mean enough.” She shivered, remembering. “First man ever to use my little round ass, too.”
“Okay, so that’s one part.” Barbara took out her own canteen and uncapped it. “But what’s the other part? Of you, I mean.”
shrugged as best she could while still wearing the backpack. “The other part…well, I just don’t know. Part of the thrill last year was trying to learn what three complete strangers wanted, how to please each one of them. So, I keep thinking that maybe another complete stranger or two will recap